Patna: NDA leaders on Thursday reacted sharply to the RJD’s allegation that the state govt is diverting public attention by targeting people of a particular caste in the name of police encounters against criminals. RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said there was no doubt that Yadavs and Muslims are with his party, but they are opposed to crime and criminals of any caste.The main accused, Ramdhani Yadav, was killed in a police encounter within 12 hours of the murder of a Sultanganj Nagar Parishad executive officer on Tuesday. In Siwan, police shot at Chhotu Yadav, accused of murdering a BJP leader’s nephew, within five hours of the incident on Wednesday.Senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey said the NDA govt’s message to criminals is clear — either shun crime or leave the state. “In Bihar, it is the rule of law or rather the ‘Rule of Samrat’ that prevails. CM Samrat Choudhary’s tough stance serves as a stern message to criminals,” BJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar said.JD(U) national executive president Sanjay Kumar Jha said the developments reflect a strong law and order framework. “Whoever commits a crime will face the consequences. Only those who wish to live peacefully will remain in Bihar. There is no place for such individuals in Bihar. Nitish ji had declared in his first press conference after becoming the CM in 2005 that his govt’s top priority would be to establish the rule of law in Bihar. The rule of the gun will not be tolerated. The administration will show no leniency toward anyone who steps out of line,” Jha said.
